Not Strong Enough

File:BoygeniusKingstonEarly240823 (1 of 45) (53139937090) (cropped).jpg in August 2023. Bridgers, Baker, and Dacus appear from left to right.|alt=Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus sit at microphones in front of an audience. Bridgers is smiling slightly while she and Dacus are looking at each other past Baker, who is blankly looking straight ahead.]]

Boygenius is a band consisting of three American singer-songwriters: Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. The trio formed in 2018 and released an extended play (EP), Boygenius, in October of that year.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/26/boygenius-julien-baker-lucy-dacus-phoebe-bridgers-ep-stream|title=Boygenius share their debut EP|last=Renshaw|first=David|magazine=The Fader|date=October 26, 2018|access-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202092236/https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/26/boygenius-julien-baker-lucy-dacus-phoebe-bridgers-ep-stream|archive-date=December 2, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/boygenius-julien-baker-phoebe-bridgers-lucy-dacus-the-record-interview-1234660514/|title=How Boygenius became the world's most exciting supergroup|last=Martoccio|first=Angie|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=January 19, 2023|access-date=December 15, 2023|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218152427/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/boygenius-julien-baker-phoebe-bridgers-lucy-dacus-the-record-interview-1234660514/|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Each musician then worked on their solo projects, releasing their respective albums—Punisher by Bridgers, Little Oblivions by Baker, and Home Video by Dacus—over the course of 2020 and 2021. Roughly a week after Punisher{{'s}} June 2020 release, Bridgers began writing new material to keep herself busy during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/boygenius-record-tour-phoebe-bridgers-lucy-dacus-julien-baker-interview-1235571668/|title=Boygenius on making their first album, working with Kristen Stewart and being 'excited and terrified' to play Coachella|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=April 3, 2023|magazine=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=May 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121224510/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/boygenius-record-tour-phoebe-bridgers-lucy-dacus-julien-baker-interview-1235571668/|archive-date=January 21, 2024|url-status=live}} The song "Emily I'm Sorry", which was later released as a single and as the third track on The Record,{{cite magazine|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/boygenius-announce-new-album-the-record-share-three-songs-listen/|title=Boygenius announce new album The Record, share three songs: listen|last=Monroe|first=Jazz|magazine=Pitchfork|publisher=Condé Nast|date=January 18, 2023|access-date=January 23, 2024|archive-date=January 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123071426/https://pitchfork.com/news/boygenius-announce-new-album-the-record-share-three-songs-listen/|url-status=live}} originated during this period; Bridgers sent a demo of the song to Dacus and Baker, believing that it felt more fitting for a full band than a solo recording. The three decided to start sharing demos and ideas for songs in a Google Drive folder and a group chat, convening in California twice in 2021 to write together in person.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/boygenius-gel-lies-omnigone-faintest-idea-zelooperz-lamp-of-murmuur-mystic-100s-nakhane-kommand-london-brew-b-cool-aid-larry-june-alchemist-katie-gately-noia-davido-reviews/|title=Notable releases of the week (3/31)|last=Sacher|first=Andrew|magazine=BrooklynVegan|publisher=REVOLT Publishing Network|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=May 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905185346/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/boygenius-gel-lies-omnigone-faintest-idea-zelooperz-lamp-of-murmuur-mystic-100s-nakhane-kommand-london-brew-b-cool-aid-larry-june-alchemist-katie-gately-noia-davido-reviews/|archive-date=September 5, 2023|url-status=live}} On November 19, the band performed together for the first time in three years as part of a charity concert for Bread and Roses Presents.{{Cite web |last=Lavin |first=Will |date=November 21, 2021 |title=Watch Boygenius play first show in three years for San Francisco charity event |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-boygenius-play-first-show-in-three-years-for-san-francisco-charity-event-3100578 |access-date=January 18, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317041504/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-boygenius-play-first-show-in-three-years-for-san-francisco-charity-event-3100578 |url-status=live }} The band recorded the album at Shangri-La in Malibu for much of January 2022 with contributions from several session musicians, including bass guitar work from Jay Som and percussion from Carla Azar of the American alternative rock band Autolux. Additional recording was completed at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys.{{cite AV media notes|author=Boygenius|title=The Record|year=2023|type=liner notes [CD]|publisher=Interscope Records|id=B0037475-02}}

The band was secretive about the writing and recording processes while they were ongoing; when individual members were asked in interviews whether they would reunite, they generally gave oblique and evasive responses. Rumors about a debut album from Boygenius began spreading in late 2022 to 2023, following a photoshoot in November 2022 and the announcement of their inclusion on the 2023 Coachella lineup.{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Lauren |date=January 9, 2023 |title=7 of the most anticipated albums of 2023 |url=https://gigwise.com/features/3428369/7-of-the-most-anticipated-albums-of-2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109130514/https://gigwise.com/features/3428369/7-of-the-most-anticipated-albums-of-2023|website=Gigwise |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 9, 2023|access-date=January 25, 2024|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Siobhain |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Signs are pointing to Boygenius being back and doing... something |url=https://readdork.com/news/signs-are-pointing-to-boygenius-being-back-and-doing-something/ |access-date=January 18, 2023 |website=Dork |publisher=The Bunker Publishing|archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404040229/https://readdork.com/news/signs-are-pointing-to-boygenius-being-back-and-doing-something/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last1=Paul |first1=Larisha |last2=Mier |first2=Tomás |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Bad Bunny and Blackpink make history as 2023 Coachella headliners, Frank Ocean makes grand return |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/2023-coachella-headliners-bad-bunny-blackpink-frank-ocean-1234657207/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |publisher=Penske Media Corporation|language=en-US |access-date=January 18, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110215205/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/2023-coachella-headliners-bad-bunny-blackpink-frank-ocean-1234657207/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} On January 18, 2023, the band's debut album The Record and its tracklist were announced, with a release date of March 31. Three singles were released at this time: "$20", "True Blue", and the aforementioned "Emily I'm Sorry". According to Bridgers, the album's first half consists of songs which were near completion by the time she, Baker, and Dacus shared them with each other; the second half is informed by the album's creative process itself, as well as the bond shared by the three band members.{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/boygenius-super-band-friends-1791919|title=Boygenius is a super band of friends|last=Chiu|first=David|work=Newsweek|date=April 4, 2023|access-date=January 17, 2024|archive-date=May 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504040756/https://www.newsweek.com/boygenius-super-band-friends-1791919|url-status=live}} The collaboratively written "Not Strong Enough" appears as the sixth track out of 12. On March 1, the song was released as the album's fourth single, along with an accompanying music video.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/boygenius-not-strong-enough-listen/|title=Watch Boygenius have the best day ever in the new video for "Not Strong Enough"|last=Hardman|first=Neville|magazine=Alternative Press|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=January 4, 2024|archive-date=January 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104005712/https://www.altpress.com/boygenius-not-strong-enough-listen/|url-status=live}} It was serviced to adult album alternative radio stations in the United States on March 13, followed by addition to alternative radio stations in the country 15 days later.{{cite web |title=Triple A future releases |url=https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307093302/https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases|website=All Access|archive-date=March 7, 2023|access-date=January 5, 2024|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Alternative future releases |url=https://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327192815/https://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases|website=All Access |archive-date=March 27, 2023|access-date=January 5, 2024|url-status=dead}}

{{Listen

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| description = A 21-second sample of the song, demonstrating facets of its instrumentation and lyrical themes. Baker sings lead during this portion.

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"Not Strong Enough" primarily falls within the genres of indie rock{{efn|name=Indie rock|Attributed to multiple sources:{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/arts/music/boygenius-the-record-review.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330153928/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/arts/music/boygenius-the-record-review.html|title=The indie-rock trio Boygenius returns, confident and connected|last=Pareles|first=Jon|authorlink=Jon Pareles|work=The New York Times|date=March 30, 2023|archive-date=March 30, 2023|access-date=January 7, 2024|url-access=limited|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Golsen |first1=Tyler |title=Boygenius share new single 'Not Strong Enough' |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/boygenius-not-strong-enough/ |website=Far Out |access-date=December 20, 2023 |date=March 1, 2023 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220203955/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/boygenius-not-strong-enough/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://thepostrider.com/boygenius-and-wednesday-represent-indie-rocks-stale-past-and-exciting-future/|title=Boygenius and Wednesday represent indie rock's stale past and exciting future|last=Lovito|first=Michael|website=The Postrider|date=May 1, 2023|access-date=December 24, 2023|archive-date=December 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224212517/https://thepostrider.com/boygenius-and-wednesday-represent-indie-rocks-stale-past-and-exciting-future/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gaytimes.com/music/boygenius-the-record-a-track-by-track-review/|title=Boygenius The Record: a track-by-track review|last=Raza-Sheikh|first=Zoya|magazine=Gay Times|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531102355/https://www.gaytimes.com/music/boygenius-the-record-a-track-by-track-review/|archive-date=May 31, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2023/03/boygenius-not-strong-enough-stream/|title=Boygenius soar on new song "Not Strong Enough": stream|last=Fu|first=Eddie|magazine=Consequence|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=December 24, 2023|archive-date=December 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224212517/https://consequence.net/2023/03/boygenius-not-strong-enough-stream/|url-status=live}}}} and folk rock.{{efn|name=Folk rock|Attributed to multiple sources:{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-songs-2023/boygenius-not-strong-enough-2/|title=Best songs of 2023|last=Werthman|first=Christine|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=December 7, 2023|access-date=February 17, 2024|archive-date=February 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217005131/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-songs-2023/boygenius-not-strong-enough-2/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/lists/the-50-best-songs-of-2023/|title=The 50 best songs of 2023|last=Mason|first=Eric|magazine=Slant Magazine|date=December 6, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521123330/https://www.slantmagazine.com/lists/the-50-best-songs-of-2023/|archive-date=May 21, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.loudandquiet.com/interview/boygenius-this-is-the-time-we-finally-get-to-be-around-each-other-were-gonna-enjoy-it/|title=Boygenius: "This is the time we finally get to be around each other – we're gonna enjoy it"|last=Samways|first=Gemma|magazine=Loud and Quiet|date=April 5, 2023|access-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223040515/https://www.loudandquiet.com/interview/boygenius-this-is-the-time-we-finally-get-to-be-around-each-other-were-gonna-enjoy-it/|archive-date=February 23, 2024|url-status=live}}}} Writing for Stereogum, Tom Breihan called it a "twinkling headrush rocker".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2217747/premature-evaluation-boygenius-the-record/reviews/premature-evaluation/|title=Premature Evaluation: Boygenius The Record|last=Breihan|first=Tom|magazine=Stereogum|date=March 27, 2023|access-date=June 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502223827/https://www.stereogum.com/2217747/premature-evaluation-boygenius-the-record/reviews/premature-evaluation/|archive-date=May 2, 2024|url-status=live}} For Exclaim! and Clash, the song evoked the Laurel Canyon music scene of the early 1970s. Eric Mason of Slant Magazine and Lindsay Zoladz of The New York Times detected influences from pop music in the recording—Mason believed that the song exhibited "sly pop acumen" and Zoladz felt that it subverted tropes of the genre—while Tyler Golsen of Far Out found elements of country music;{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/06/arts/music/best-songs-2023.html|title=Best songs of 2023|last=Zoladz|first=Lindsay|work=The New York Times|date=December 22, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511013703/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/06/arts/music/best-songs-2023.html|archive-date=May 11, 2024|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Cat Zhang of Pitchfork and Jeremy Winograd of Slant Magazine explicitly described it as country pop,{{cite magazine|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/boygenius-the-record/|title=Boygenius: The Record album review|last=Zhang|first=Cat|magazine=Pitchfork|publisher=Condé Nast|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=December 24, 2023|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411050753/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/boygenius-the-record/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/lists/the-50-best-albums-of-2023/|title=The 50 best albums of 2023|last=Winograd|first=Jeremy|magazine=Slant Magazine|date=December 7, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521123326/https://www.slantmagazine.com/lists/the-50-best-albums-of-2023/|archive-date=May 21, 2024|url-status=live}} and Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian categorized it as pop rock.{{cite news|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|date=December 4, 2023|title=The 20 best songs of 2023|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/04/the-20-best-songs-of-2023|work=The Guardian|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=December 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204061208/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/04/the-20-best-songs-of-2023|url-status=live}} Chris Willman of Variety classified it as jangle pop,{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/album-reviews/boygenius-record-album-review-bridgers-dacus-baker-1235569576/|title=Boygenius' The Record finds an ideal blend of stark individuality and supergroup charm: album review|last=Willman|first=Chris|magazine=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=March 30, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418090247/https://variety.com/2023/music/album-reviews/boygenius-record-album-review-bridgers-dacus-baker-1235569576/|archive-date=April 18, 2023|url-status=live}} with Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan also finding similarities to the genre. Jon Pareles of The New York Times perceived it to contain influences from new wave, which he attributed to the "pumping, echoing" production. Alex Flood of NME described the final minute of the song as "punky". During interviews with Variety and The New York Times, the band stated that the song was partially written for radio play and that they wanted the song to be catchy and enjoyable; Dacus believed that the results were unconventional for what was ultimately a successful radio single, and Bridgers felt that the band's artistic integrity had remained intact.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/boygenius-hitmakers-group-of-the-year-interview-1235813944/|title=Boy power: the women of Boygenius on the joys of nourishing a supergroup without the superegos|last=Willman|first=Chris|magazine=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=November 30, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308043912/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/boygenius-hitmakers-group-of-the-year-interview-1235813944/|archive-date=March 8, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/10/arts/music/boygenius-grammy-nominations.html|title=Boygenius on its first Grammy nominations and keeping rock fun|last=Jacobs|first=Julia|work=The New York Times|date=November 10, 2023|access-date=May 4, 2024|archive-date=March 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326070656/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/10/arts/music/boygenius-grammy-nominations.html|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Willman, Carl Wilson of Slate, and Rachel Syme of The New Yorker perceived the song to have commercial appeal,{{cite magazine|url=https://slate.com/culture/2023/03/boygenius-record-phoebe-bridgers-album-review.html|title=The new album from rock's greatest supergroup shows it finding a style all its own|last=Wilson|first=Carl|magazine=Slate|date=March 30, 2023|access-date=May 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515080541/https://slate.com/culture/2023/03/boygenius-record-phoebe-bridgers-album-review.html|archive-date=May 15, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/listening-booth/boygeniuss-record-of-friendship-and-mutual-obsession|title=Boygenius's "record" of friendship and mutual obsession|last=Syme|first=Rachel|magazine=The New Yorker|publisher=Condé Nast|date=April 1, 2023|access-date=May 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213084100/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/listening-booth/boygeniuss-record-of-friendship-and-mutual-obsession|archive-date=February 13, 2024|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} while Syme and Sacher compared it to early singles by Sheryl Crow.

"Not Strong Enough" is built on basic rock instrumentation of guitars, bass, and percussion, while also incorporating synthesizers. The song integrates both acoustic and electric guitars, which multiple music critics observed to be strummed.{{efn|name=Strumming|Attributed to multiple sources:}} Allaire Nuss of Entertainment Weekly and Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times assessed the guitar riffs as possessing luminescent qualities. They sounded like chimes to Mark Savage of BBC Music. Angie Martoccio of Rolling Stone compared the song's guitarwork to the American musician Frank Black, having previously stated in a January 2023 cover story that Bridgers had partially drawn influence from Black during the songwriting process. Pareles noted that the song's bass lines provide counter-melodies against the guitars. Several critics commented that the percussion was high in energy and integral to the song; Rolling Stone and British GQ characterized the drumming as "chaotic" and "pounding", respectively, and PopMatters{{'s}} John Amen felt that the percussion had a "bouncy" aspect. The bass drum utilizes a four on the floor pattern according to Dacus. Golsen remarked that the drumming was propulsive and steady; he felt that the drumming and synthesizers were components that helped to set the song apart from The Record{{'s}} other three tracks that had been made available to the public before the album's release. In an interview with Zan Rowe of the Australian radio station Double J, Catherine Marks recalled that, with mixing assistance from Sarah Tudzin, she used takes from two drummers—Carla Azar and Barbara Gruska—to splice together the song's percussion.{{cite podcast|url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/catherine-marks-take-5-big-picture/103563732|title=Catherine Marks' big picture songs|last=Rowe|first=Zan|author-link=Zan Rowe|time=34:12|website=Take 5|publisher=ABC Listen|date=March 7, 2024|access-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516183441/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/take-5/catherine-marks-take-5-big-picture/103563732|archive-date=May 16, 2024|url-status=live}} The synthesizers were compared to music of the 1980s by Kyle Petersen of No Depression and the American rock band the War on Drugs by John Vettese of WXPN.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nodepression.com/album-reviews/album-review-boygenius-deepens-their-connection-with-the-record/|title=Album review: Boygenius deepens their connection with The Record|last=Petersen|first=Kyle|magazine=No Depression|publisher=FreshGrass Foundation|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=December 23, 2023|archive-date=June 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610134716/https://www.nodepression.com/album-reviews/album-review-boygenius-deepens-their-connection-with-the-record/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://xpn.org/2023/03/01/boygenius-not-strong-enough/|title=Boygenius takes the best road trip ever in the "Not Strong Enough" video|last=Vettese|first=John|website=WXPN|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=January 4, 2024|archive-date=January 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104011214/https://xpn.org/2023/03/01/boygenius-not-strong-enough/|url-status=live}} Nuss contrasted the cleanliness and warmth of the synthesizers and guitars with what she observed to be great turmoil at the heart of the song, comparing the effect to porcelain being "hurtled at a wall".

The song was the final to be completed for The Record. According to sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Hal Leonard Music Publishing, "Not Strong Enough" is set in common time at a tempo of 126 beats per minute and composed in the key of D♭ major. It opens with a repeatedly strummed suspended G♭ chord before following a chord progression of D♭–A♭^sus4–E♭m7–B♭m in the verses, switching to a frequently modulating basic progression of G♭^sus2–D♭–A♭–B♭m7 for the chorus. The vocals of Bridgers, Baker, and Dacus collectively span a range from the low note of F₃ to the high note of D♭₅.{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0273535|accessdate=December 15, 2023|title=Boygenius "Not Strong Enough" sheet music in D♭ major|date=May 4, 2023|publisher=Kobalt Music Publishing|archive-date=December 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215223221/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0273535|url-status=live|via=Musicnotes.com}} All three members take lead vocal duties at varying points in the song: Bridgers leads the first verse and chorus; Baker leads the second verse and chorus; and Dacus leads the bridge and final chorus.{{cite news|last=DeAscentiis|first=Lola J.|date=March 23, 2023|title='Not Strong Enough' single review: the return of Boygenius with their latest album|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2023/3/23/boygenius-not-strong-enough-single-review/|work=The Harvard Crimson|publisher=Harvard University|access-date=December 22, 2023|archive-date=December 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222214251/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2023/3/23/boygenius-not-strong-enough-single-review/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://neonmusic.co.uk/interpreting-not-strong-enough-unpacking-the-meaning-and-significance-of-the-lyrics/|title=Interpreting Boygenius Not Strong Enough: unpacking the meaning and significance of the lyrics|last=Harris|first=Alex|website=Neon Music|date=October 5, 2023|access-date=December 24, 2023|archive-date=December 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224212517/https://neonmusic.co.uk/interpreting-not-strong-enough-unpacking-the-meaning-and-significance-of-the-lyrics/|url-status=live}} Bridgers and Baker sing their respective verses alone, with the rest of the group adding vocal harmonies during each chorus.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2215482/boygenius-not-strong-enough/music/|title=Boygenius share new song "Not Strong Enough": listen|last=Rettig|first=James|magazine=Stereogum|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008155939/https://www.stereogum.com/2215482/boygenius-not-strong-enough/music/|archive-date=October 8, 2023|url-status=live}} A short instrumental interlude follows the second chorus, after which Dacus quietly sings solo with minimal musical accompaniment. Bridgers and Baker gradually join Dacus as the music builds intensity.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-04-03/boygenius-the-record-phoebe-bridgers-julien-baker-lucy-dacus|title=The supergroup Boygenius are happiest making sad music together|last=Barshad|first=Amos|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 3, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603122951/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-04-03/boygenius-the-record-phoebe-bridgers-julien-baker-lucy-dacus|archive-date=June 3, 2024|url-status=live}} The song reaches its climax near the end of the bridge, carried by "thundering instrumentation" according to NPR Music, as Baker's and Bridgers's voices raise drastically. The instruments abruptly but briefly quiet underneath the vocals, leading into the final chorus.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/03/31/1166738902/boygenius-the-record-album-review|title=On The Record, Boygenius honors how friendship shapes our very sense of self|last=Lorusso|first=Marissa|publisher=NPR|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209162621/https://www.npr.org/2023/03/31/1166738902/boygenius-the-record-album-review|archive-date=February 9, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/resistant-joy-of-boygenius-rocks|title=The resistant joy of Boygenius rocks The Record|last=Quinn|first=Rick|magazine=PopMatters|date=April 13, 2023|access-date=June 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302044254/https://www.popmatters.com/resistant-joy-of-boygenius-rocks|archive-date=March 2, 2024|url-status=live}}

{{Quote box

| quote = The two wolves inside us can be self-hatred and self-aggrandizing ... Being like, "I'm not strong enough to show up for you. I can't be the partner that you want me to be." But also being like, "I'm too fucked up. I'm unknowable in some deep way!" Self-hatred is a god complex sometimes, where you think you're the most fucked-up person who’s ever lived. Straight up, you're not. And it can make people behave really selfishly, and I love each of our interpretations of that concept.

| source = —Phoebe Bridgers

| align = right

| width = 23.2%

| bgcolor = #FFFFF0

}}

The lyrics of "Not Strong Enough" touch on issues like mental illness and resultant relationship dysfunction. The band explained the meanings of the song in a video interview with Genius—Bridgers elucidated that the song was about using self-pity to escape the responsibility that comes with accountability, while Baker described the lyrics as expressing self-consciousness of one's abilities to do their part in a relationship but lacking the commitment to do so. Dacus responded to Bridgers and Baker by humorously labeling the song as "fuckboy-genius".{{cite web |last1=Gunn |first1=Charlotte |title="This song is fuckboy-genius" – Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker explain 'Not Strong Enough' |url=https://thefortyfive.com/news/boygenius-meaning-of-not-strong-enough/ |website=The Forty-Five |access-date=December 20, 2023 |date=May 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220200240/https://thefortyfive.com/news/boygenius-meaning-of-not-strong-enough/ |url-status=live }} Alex Hopper of American Songwriter surmised that the song was about an unhealthy relationship in which self-loathing and insincere apologies are used as leverage.{{cite magazine|url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-boygenius-grammy-nominated-not-strong-enough/|title=Behind the meaning of Boygenius' "Not Strong Enough"|last=Hopper|first=Alex|magazine=American Songwriter|publisher=Savage Media Holdings|date=November 23, 2023|access-date=January 23, 2024|archive-date=January 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123181739/https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-boygenius-grammy-nominated-not-strong-enough/|url-status=live}} Other critics determined aspects of gender roles while Gay Times{{'s}} Zoya Raza-Sheikh interpreted the lyrics to contain facets of feminism.

Bridgers's verse describes lacking the executive function capabilities to change clocks so that they display the correct time. Rick Quinn of PopMatters theorized this incapacitation to be the result of a panic attack. According to Rob Hakimian of Beats Per Minute, the verse's opening lines establish the overall mood of the song's lyrics, which Hakimian characterized as "dissociative".{{cite magazine|url=https://beatsperminute.com/boygenius-dig-deep-on-the-cruising-not-strong-enough/|title=Boygenius dig deep on the cruising "Not Strong Enough"|last=Hakimian|first=Rob|magazine=Beats Per Minute|date=March 2, 2023|access-date=June 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128223842/https://beatsperminute.com/boygenius-dig-deep-on-the-cruising-not-strong-enough/|archive-date=November 28, 2023|url-status=live}} Vulture and Flood Magazine summarized the verse as portraying the effects of depression on the perception of one's surroundings.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vulture.com/2024/02/boygenius-the-record-album-review.html|title=Boygenius is here to blunt whatever life throws our way|last=Jenkins|first=Craig|magazine=Vulture|publisher=Vox Media|date=February 4, 2024|access-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216212619/https://www.vulture.com/2024/02/boygenius-the-record-album-review.html|archive-date=February 16, 2024|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Far Out viewed it as an application of kitchen sink realism. Baker's verse is about the prospect of a drag race ending in a lethal automobile accident.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/boygenius-the-record-1234704024/|title=The debut album from Boygenius is even better than everyone had hoped|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=March 27, 2023|access-date=June 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201002442/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/boygenius-the-record-1234704024/|archive-date=February 1, 2024|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} It namechecks the song "Boys Don't Cry" by the English rock band the Cure, which Alex Harris of Neon Music perceived to reference how people are expected by society to keep their emotions hidden. Quinn noted that "Boys Don't Cry" shares its name with a 1999 film about Brandon Teena, a trans man who was slain in a hate crime; he suggested that Baker's verse contains a double entendre alluding to drag performers and anti-LGBT bigotry.

File:SherlCrowBourbon220918-10 (32925118457) (cropped).jpg (pictured in 2018) was a source of inspiration for "Not Strong Enough".|alt=Sheryl Crow standing in front of a microphone and singing while playing guitar]]

The song's chorus is an homage to Crow's 1994 single "Strong Enough". Bridgers had thought of the referential lyric, "Not strong enough to be your man", long before the song was written and had been waiting for the right opportunity to include it. Though the song details feelings of depression, Bridgers told Newsweek that she did not experience these emotions during the writing process, likening the discrepancy to "talking to your friends about the things you struggle with mentally, like you're not actually emotionally activated in the moment when sharing or talking about it." Each chorus uses different lyrics.

The bridge consists of the line, "Always an angel, never a god", repeated twelve times. According to Dacus, the lyric is intended to describe "receiving praise for being subservient". Hopper felt that it represented a "power imbalance" where a person with mental illness has greater influence in a relationship, while Lola J. DeAscentiis of The Harvard Crimson opined that it represented feeling helpless and adrift. Nuss stated that it conveyed feelings of disappointment with being belittled by other people. Writing for Flood Magazine, Kyle Lemmon interpreted the lyric to express "feelings of guilt and shame". To Atwood Magazine{{'s}} Nic Nichols and Dazed{{'s}} Günseli Yalcinkaya, the lyric encapsulated the struggles of women against misogyny in the music industry.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/59576/1/new-music-friday-7-albums-to-stream-this-week-boy-genius|title=New Music Friday: 7 albums to stream this week|last=Yalcinkaya|first=Günseli|magazine=Dazed|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=June 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605134808/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/59576/1/new-music-friday-7-albums-to-stream-this-week-boy-genius|archive-date=June 5, 2023|url-status=live}} Spin{{'s}} Daniel Kohn wrote that it "express[ed] ... how to manage your own expectations and emotions while dealing with your own shit".

"Not Strong Enough" appeared on several rock-related single charts in the United States. It debuted at number 17 on Billboard{{'}}s Adult Alternative Airplay chart on the week ending March 25;{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2023-03-25|title=Adult Alternative Airplay: March 25, 2023 {{!}} Billboard chart archive|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|accessdate=January 4, 2024|archive-date=March 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321165643/https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2023-03-25/|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} it reached number one on the week ending June 3, becoming the first song by any member of Boygenius to summit a Billboard airplay chart.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2023-06-03|title=Adult Alternative Airplay: June 3, 2023 {{!}} Billboard chart archive|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|accessdate=January 4, 2024|archive-date=June 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604032621/https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2023-06-03/|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/boygenius-first-number-one-song-not-strong-enough-1235341204/|title=Boygenius scores first No. 1 song with 'Not Strong Enough'|last=Rutherford|first=Kevin|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=May 26, 2023|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-date=May 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527075844/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/boygenius-first-number-one-song-not-strong-enough-1235341204/|url-status=live}} It remained at number one for seven weeks and spent a total of 24 weeks on the chart;{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/boygenius/chart-history/aaa|title=Boygenius chart history (Adult Alternative Airplay)|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-date=June 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602162006/https://www.billboard.com/artist/boygenius/chart-history/aaa/|url-status=live}} Billboard ultimately ranked it as the most successful song of 2023 on adult alternative radio.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/adult-alternative-songs/|title=Adult Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2023|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=November 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122212643/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/adult-alternative-songs/|url-status=live}} On Billboard{{'}}s Alternative Airplay chart, the song debuted at number 40 on the week ending April 8,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-airplay/2023-04-08 |title=Alternative Airplay: April 8, 2023 {{!}} Billboard chart archive |magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=April 8, 2023 |accessdate=January 4, 2024 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407235516/https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-airplay/2023-04-08/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} peaking at number 11 on the week ending September 2 and charting for a total of 23 weeks.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/boygenius/chart-history/mrt|title=Boygenius chart history (Alternative Airplay)|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=January 4, 2024|archive-date=December 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227190519/https://www.billboard.com/artist/boygenius/chart-history/mrt/|url-status=live}} On Billboard{{'}}s overall Rock Airplay chart, which measures audience impressions across mainstream rock, alternative, and adult album alternative radio stations, the song debuted at number 39 on the week ending March 25{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-airplay/2023-03-25|title=Rock & Alternative Airplay: March 25, 2023 {{!}} Billboard chart archive|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|accessdate=January 4, 2024|archive-date=March 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321171107/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-airplay/2023-03-25/|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} and peaked at number 12 on the week ending June 17, charting for a total of 24 weeks. Billboard later ranked the song at numbers 27 and 26 on the 2023 year-end tallies for Alternative Airplay and Rock Airplay, respectively.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/alternative-songs/|title=Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2023|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=January 4, 2024|archive-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221233240/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/alternative-songs/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/rock-airplay-songs/|title=Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2023|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=November 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122193855/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/rock-airplay-songs/|url-status=live}} On the multi-metric Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, which ranks songs based on streaming figures and digital sales in addition to radio airplay, it debuted at number 43 on the week ending March 18{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-songs/2023-03-18|title=Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: March 18, 2023 {{!}} Billboard chart archive|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|accessdate=January 6, 2024|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601100956/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-songs/2023-03-18/|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} and peaked at number 26 on the week ending June 10, spending 22 weeks on the chart; it was ranked at number 74 on that chart's year-end listing.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/hot-rock-songs/|title=Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2023|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=November 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122193855/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2023/hot-rock-songs/|url-status=live}}

Outside of the United States, "Not Strong Enough" had a limited presence on record charts. In Ireland, the song debuted and peaked at number 78 on the week of April 6 and fell off the chart the following week; it re-entered at number 84 on the week of August 31 for a second and final week on the chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=boygenius|title=Discography Boygenius|publisher=Irish Singles Chart|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202213613/http://www.irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=boygenius|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://acharts.co/ireland_singles_top_100/2023/35|title=Ireland Singles Top 100 (August 31, 2023)|publisher=acharts.co|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404221217/https://acharts.co/ireland_singles_top_100/2023/35|archive-date=April 4, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2024}} On Billboard Japan{{'}}s Hot Overseas chart, the song debuted at number 15 on the week of March 20 and has since charted for nine non-consecutive weeks. It peaked at number nine on the week of May 1; as of May 2024, its most recent appearance was on the week of February 19, when it was ranked at number 15.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=d_and_a_overseas&year=2023&month=03&day=20|title=Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – week of March 20, 2023|website=Billboard Japan|publisher=Hanshin Contents Link|language=ja|date=March 15, 2023|access-date=April 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316142021/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=d_and_a_overseas&year=2023&month=03&day=20|archive-date=March 16, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=d_and_a_overseas&year=2023&month=05&day=01|title=Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – week of May 1, 2023|website=Billboard Japan|publisher=Hanshin Contents Link|language=ja|date=April 26, 2023|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502042028/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=d_and_a_overseas&year=2023&month=05&day=01|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=d_and_a_overseas&year=2024&month=02&day=19|title=Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – week of February 19, 2024|website=Billboard Japan|publisher=Hanshin Contents Link|language=ja|date=February 14, 2024|access-date=April 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214044941/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=d_and_a_overseas&year=2024&month=02&day=19|archive-date=February 14, 2024|url-status=live}}

"Not Strong Enough" was met with critical acclaim. Multiple publications named it a highlight of The Record in their reviews of the album, including Alternative Press,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/boygenius-the-record-review/|title=Review: Boygenius' The Record lets three voices and styles soar in unison|last=Wolper|first=Caitlin|magazine=Alternative Press|date=March 30, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005220854/https://www.altpress.com/boygenius-the-record-review/|archive-date=October 5, 2023|url-status=live}} NME,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/boygenius-the-record-review-the-instant-classic-we-were-hoping-for-3419059|title=Boygenius – The Record review: the instant classic we were hoping for|last=Campbell|first=Erica|magazine=NME|date=March 27, 2023|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=April 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412234432/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/boygenius-the-record-review-the-instant-classic-we-were-hoping-for-3419059|url-status=live}} DIY,{{cite magazine|url=https://diymag.com/review/album/boygenius-the-record|title=Album review: Boygenius – The Record|last=Tipple|first=Ben|magazine=DIY|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=January 7, 2024|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407063430/https://diymag.com/review/album/boygenius-the-record|url-status=live}} PopMatters,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/boygenius-the-record-album-review|title=Boygenius celebrate creative chemistry on The Record|last=Amen|first=John|magazine=PopMatters|date=April 3, 2023|access-date=January 7, 2024|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411015142/https://www.popmatters.com/boygenius-the-record-album-review|url-status=live}} Beats Per Minute,{{cite magazine|url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-boygenius-the-record/|title=Album review: Boygenius – The Record|last=Hakimian|first=Rob|magazine=Beats Per Minute|date=April 3, 2023|access-date=June 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128092930/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-boygenius-the-record/|archive-date=November 28, 2023|url-status=live}} Exclaim!,{{cite magazine|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/boygenius_the_record_album_review|title=Boygenius are together for the hell of it on The Record|last=Feibel|first=Adam|magazine=Exclaim!|date=March 27, 2023|access-date=January 7, 2024|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407063430/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/boygenius_the_record_album_review|url-status=live}} Flood Magazine,{{cite magazine|url=https://floodmagazine.com/129504/boygenius-the-record/|title=Reviews: Boygenius, The Record|last=Lemmon|first=Kyle|magazine=Flood Magazine|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=June 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310131827/https://floodmagazine.com/129504/boygenius-the-record/|archive-date=March 10, 2024|url-status=live}} Paste,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/boygenius/boygenius-the-record-album-review|title=The legend of Boygenius evolves on The Record|last=Johnson|first=Ellen|magazine=Paste|date=March 30, 2023|access-date=June 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331224702/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/boygenius/boygenius-the-record-album-review|archive-date=March 31, 2023|url-status=dead}} and Uncut.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/uncut-uk-06.2023/page/24/mode/2up|title=The 21st-century CSN make good on the promise of 2018 EP|last=Troussé|first=Stephen|magazine=Uncut|publisher=NME Networks|date=June 2023|issue=313|page=25|access-date=June 3, 2024|via=Internet Archive}} Tyler Golsen of Far Out gave the song four out of five stars, writing "It's just fun and that's all it needs to be. If you make songs as good as this, you don't need anything more." Writing for Consequence, which selected "Not Strong Enough" as its Song of the Week, Spencer Dukoff described it as a "worship song for non-believers" and praised the vocals and lyrics.{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2023/03/boygenius-not-strong-enough-song-of-the-week/|title=Song of the Week: Boygenius unveil a worship song for non-believers on 'Not Strong Enough'|last=Dukoff|first=Spencer|magazine=Consequence|date=March 3, 2023|access-date=December 22, 2023|archive-date=December 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222204328/https://consequence.net/2023/03/boygenius-not-strong-enough-song-of-the-week/|url-status=live}} Lola J. DeAscentiis of The Harvard Crimson was extremely positive, hailing the song as "a stunning masterpiece that manages to turn the most gruesome mental breakdown into a work of art, yet still avoids the romanticization of these struggles." Atwood Magazine{{'}}s collaborative review of The Record saw five of the review's seven contributors cite "Not Strong Enough" as one of the album's best songs, complimenting its "colorful instrumentation" and "spunky admission of inadequacy".{{cite magazine|url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/bgtr-boygenius-the-record-album-review|title=Roundtable discussion: a review of Boygenius' The Record|last1=Severs|first1=Sophie|last2=Nichols|first2=Nic|last3=Krein|first3=Kevin|last4=Weiner|first4=Josh|last5=Gurewitz|first5=Kylie|last6=Hayhoe|first6=Beau|last7=Crook|first7=Oliver|magazine=Atwood Magazine|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=December 23, 2023|archive-date=December 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209203604/https://atwoodmagazine.com/bgtr-boygenius-the-record-album-review/|url-status=live}} Writing for American Songwriter, Alex Hopper praised the song's unconventional approach to relationship-based lyrical themes. Ben Tipple of DIY referred to the song as "a shining moment in a sound of friendship that doesn't take itself too seriously, but comes built on an unshakable admiration for every facet of their beings." Adam Feibel of Exclaim! stated that it "showcases each of them equally and sounds like them, all at once." MusicOMH and Nashville Scene both considered the song to be "greater than the sum" of the three musicians' individual songwriting and performance capabilities.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/boygenius-the-record|title=Boygenius – The Record|last=Murphy|first=John|magazine=MusicOMH|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112113812/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/boygenius-the-record|archive-date=November 12, 2023|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/nashvillecream/watch-boygenius-recharge-on-a-day-out-in-not-strong-enough/article_eba6ff96-bc2b-11ed-ab36-137d693e147e.html|title=Watch Boygenius recharge on a day out in 'Not Strong Enough'|last=Cron|first=Hannah|website=Nashville Scene|date=March 6, 2023|access-date=January 7, 2024|archive-date=January 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107184828/https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/nashvillecream/watch-boygenius-recharge-on-a-day-out-in-not-strong-enough/article_eba6ff96-bc2b-11ed-ab36-137d693e147e.html|url-status=live}} A lukewarm view of "Not Strong Enough" was given by No Ripcord{{'s}} David Coleman, who rated The Record six out of 10 in his review of the album. Coleman considered the song to be emblematic of his reservations toward the album; he was unimpressed with the songwriting and arrangements, and criticized the album for falling short of its promise, although he did praise the harmonies.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.noripcord.com/reviews/music/boygenius/record|title=Boygenius: The Record – music review|last=Coleman|first=David|magazine=No Ripcord|date=April 26, 2023|access-date=June 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226123634/https://www.noripcord.com/reviews/music/boygenius/record|archive-date=February 26, 2024|url-status=live}}

Spin, Uproxx, and the Los Angeles Times crowned "Not Strong Enough" as the best song of 2023.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.spin.com/2023/12/song-of-the-year-boygenius-not-strong-enough/|title=Song of the Year: Boygenius, 'Not Strong Enough'|last=Kohn|first=Daniel|magazine=Spin|date=December 22, 2023|access-date=December 26, 2023|archive-date=December 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226192638/https://www.spin.com/2023/12/song-of-the-year-boygenius-not-strong-enough/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://uproxx.com/critic-polls/uproxx-music-critics-poll-2023-songs/|title=Uproxx Music Critics Poll 2023: Songs|last=Lane|first=Lexi|magazine=Uproxx|publisher=Warner Music Group|access-date=March 28, 2024|archive-date=December 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220181300/https://uproxx.com/critic-polls/uproxx-music-critics-poll-2023-songs/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Mikael|date=December 6, 2023|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-12-06/best-songs-2023-boygenius-peso-pluma-shakira|title=The 100 best songs of 2023|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=December 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225221604/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-12-06/best-songs-2023-boygenius-peso-pluma-shakira|url-status=live}} Many other publications and media organizations included it in their year-end lists, such as BBC Music (number two),{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67617420|title=Billie Eilish, Blur and SZA: The best songs of 2023|last=Savage|first=Mark|work=BBC Music|publisher=BBC|date=December 29, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502134136/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67617420|archive-date=May 2, 2024|url-status=live}} Billboard (number six), British GQ (unranked),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/best-songs-2023|title=The best songs of 2023|last1=Sharma|first1=Ruchira|last2=Ford|first2=Lucy|last3=Jones|first3=Daisy|magazine=British GQ|publisher=Condé Nast|date=December 4, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118103839/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/best-songs-2023|archive-date=January 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Clash (number 15),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/songs-of-the-year-2023/|title=Songs of the Year 2023|last=Taylor|first=Ims|magazine=Clash|date=December 14, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119095834/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/songs-of-the-year-2023/|archive-date=January 19, 2024|url-status=live}} Consequence (number 22),{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2023/12/200-best-songs-of-2023-list/18/|title=The 200 best songs of 2023|last=Ragusa|first=Paolo|magazine=Consequence|date=December 21, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109004238/https://consequence.net/2023/12/200-best-songs-of-2023-list/18/|archive-date=January 9, 2024|url-status=live}} DIY (number three),{{cite magazine|url=https://diymag.com/feature/diy-songs-of-the-year-2023|title=DIY's tracks of the year 2023|last=Chatterton|first=Caitlin|magazine=DIY|date=December 8, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226103652/https://diymag.com/feature/diy-songs-of-the-year-2023|archive-date=February 26, 2024|url-status=live}} Elle (unranked top 42),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a45998075/best-songs-2023/|title=The best songs of 2023|last=Gonzales|first=Erica|magazine=Elle|publisher=Hearst Communications|date=December 4, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110225605/https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a45998075/best-songs-2023/|archive-date=January 10, 2024|url-status=live}} Entertainment Weekly (number two),{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/best-songs-2023-8416464|title=The 10 best songs of 2023|last=Nuss|first=Allaire|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Dotdash Meredith|date=December 17, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524013020/https://ew.com/best-songs-2023-8416464|archive-date=May 24, 2024|url-status=live}} Esquire (unranked top 20),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/g45778643/best-new-songs-2023/|title=The 20 best songs of 2023|last=McNeal|first=Bria|magazine=Esquire|publisher=Hearst Communications|date=December 1, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407072855/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/g45778643/best-new-songs-2023/|archive-date=April 7, 2024|url-status=live}} Far Out (number 22),{{cite magazine|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-50-best-songs-of-2023/|title=The 50 best songs of 2023|last=Taylor|first=Tom|magazine=Far Out|date=December 13, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229104313/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-50-best-songs-of-2023/|archive-date=February 29, 2024|url-status=live}} The Guardian (number 19), NME (number 15),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/features/best-songs-of-2023-3-3551141|title=The 50 best songs of 2023|last=Flood|first=Alex|magazine=NME|date=December 4, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520155053/https://www.nme.com/features/best-songs-of-2023-3-3551141|archive-date=May 20, 2024|url-status=live}} NPR Music (unranked top 123),{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/12/12/1215355752/best-songs-2023|title=The 123 best songs of 2023|last=Thompson|first=Stephen|website=NPR Music|publisher=NPR|date=December 12, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524205257/https://www.npr.org/2023/12/12/1215355752/best-songs-2023|archive-date=May 24, 2024|url-status=live}} Paper (unranked top 17),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.papermag.com/paper-favorite-songs-of-2023|title=Paper's favorite songs of 2023|last=Campbell|first=Erica|magazine=Paper|date=December 27, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116213807/https://www.papermag.com/paper-favorite-songs-of-2023|archive-date=January 16, 2024|url-status=live}} Pitchfork (number 32),{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-songs-2023/|title=The 100 best songs of 2023|last=Haile|first=Heven|website=Pitchfork|publisher=Condé Nast|date=December 4, 2023|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=December 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204141810/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-songs-2023/|url-status=live}} Rolling Stone (number 13),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-2023-1234879541/boygenius-not-strong-enough-1234894478/|title=The 100 best songs of 2023|last=Martoccio|first=Angie|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=December 1, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203075815/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-2023-1234879541/boygenius-not-strong-enough-1234894478/|archive-date=December 3, 2023|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} Slant Magazine (number 10), Spectrum Culture (number four),{{cite magazine|url=https://spectrumculture.com/2023/12/19/the-25-best-songs-of-2023/|title=The 25 best songs of 2023|last=Alm|first=Rachel|magazine=Spectrum Culture|date=December 19, 2023|access-date=June 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229072029/https://spectrumculture.com/2023/12/19/the-25-best-songs-of-2023/|archive-date=February 29, 2024|url-status=live}} Time Out (number 20),{{cite magazine|url=https://www.timeout.com/music/the-23-best-songs-of-2023|title=The 23 best songs of 2023|last=Houghton|first=Amy|magazine=Time Out|date=December 5, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227145442/https://www.timeout.com/music/the-23-best-songs-of-2023|archive-date=February 27, 2024|url-status=live}} and Variety (unranked top 65).{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/lists/the-best-songs-of-2023/|title=The best songs of 2023|last=Willman|first=Chris|magazine=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=December 28, 2023|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117003850/https://variety.com/lists/the-best-songs-of-2023/|archive-date=January 17, 2024|url-status=live}} Far Out considered it to be the fourth-best Boygenius song,{{cite magazine|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/every-boygenius-song-ranked-in-order-of-greatness/|title=Every Boygenius song ranked in order of greatness|last=Golsen|first=Tyler|magazine=Far Out|date=August 17, 2023|access-date=May 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310132134/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/every-boygenius-song-ranked-in-order-of-greatness/|archive-date=March 10, 2024|url-status=live}} while Exclaim! placed it eighth on a list of the best songs written and performed by Bridgers.{{cite magazine|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/phoebe_bridgers_10_best_songs_ranked|title=Phoebe Bridgers's 10 best songs ranked|last1=Hudson|first1=Alex|last2=LaPierre|first2=Megan|magazine=Exclaim!|date=July 28, 2023|access-date=May 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101155020/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/phoebe_bridgers_10_best_songs_ranked|archive-date=November 1, 2023|url-status=live}} Triple J ranked it at number 30 on their Hottest 100 of 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/1-100|title=Triple J's Hottest 100|website=Triple J|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205141011/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/1-100|archive-date=February 5, 2024|access-date=February 17, 2024}} In September 2024, Pitchfork placed it at number 72 on a mid-decade ranking of the best songs of the 2020s.{{cite magazine|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-100-best-songs-of-the-2020s-so-far/|title=The 100 best songs of the 2020s so far|last=Rytlewski|first=Evan|magazine=Pitchfork|publisher=Condé Nast|date=September 30, 2024|access-date=January 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111164915/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-100-best-songs-of-the-2020s-so-far/|archive-date=January 11, 2025|url-status=live}}

File:Getty Villa (3).jpg of the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, as seen from the main building in April 2012. At approximately 1:10 in the music video, a clip of this area from a similar angle is shown as the band walks toward the gardens.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIX_ouNJsTs&t=70s|title=Boygenius – Not Strong Enough (official music video)|date=March 1, 2023|medium=video|access-date=April 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422041530/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIX_ouNJsTs&t=70s|archive-date=April 22, 2024|url-status=live}}|alt=A long and rectangular fountain, with a gray statue in it, at the center of a courtyard. The fountain is flanked by shrubbery, trees, and flowers; around the perimeter of the courtyard is a building with white pillars and mahogany roofs.]]

The music video for "Not Strong Enough" documents Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus spending a day together in various locations around Los Angeles. It starts with images of roadside scenery, interspersed with a clip of members headbanging while driving,{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/indie/boygenius-not-strong-enough-video-record-bridgers/|title=Boygenius have the most fun day together in their endearing and candid 'Not Strong Enough' video|last=Rossignol|first=Derrick|website=Uproxx|publisher=Warner Music Group|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=January 4, 2024|archive-date=January 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104005711/https://uproxx.com/indie/boygenius-not-strong-enough-video-record-bridgers/|url-status=live}} before the band arrives at the Santa Monica Pier.{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Boygenius take fans on a road trip in video for new single 'Not Strong Enough' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/boygenius-not-strong-enough-video-1234689145/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=December 20, 2023 |date=March 1, 2023 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220090345/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/boygenius-not-strong-enough-video-1234689145/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |last1=Greenwood |first1=Douglas |title=An exclusive BTS look at the new Boygenius video |url=https://i-d.co/article/boygenius-album-interview/ |website=i-D |access-date=December 20, 2023 |date=March 1, 2023 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220200240/https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/pkg797/boygenius-album-interview |url-status=live }} At the pier, the band prances along the boardwalk, plays arcade games—where Baker tests her strength at a high striker and Bridgers plays a virtual reality game—and rides a carousel, a Ferris wheel, and a roller coaster. After this, the band goes to the Getty Villa, where they explore the area and observe multiple statues and art displays. In one sequence, the screen continually moves to the right as Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus stand erect in between several busts, attempting to mimic their stoic facial expressions. Next, the band practices softball in a batting cage before visiting a miniature golf course, where Baker and Bridgers climb a small castle used as a prop. The band then goes for a hike, where they descend a long staircase and traverse a dark tunnel. During the second half of the song's bridge, the video progresses through clips at a dramatically increased rate; these clips include a monster truck rally, Bridgers viewing tarot cards, Dacus in a bookstore, rehearsal in the studio, and the band preparing and eating meals. The video finishes with the band having a beachside bonfire, where in one scene, they are running around while waving brightly colored smoke bombs through the air.

Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus expressed to i-D magazine that their intention had been to create a video that represented their friendship; they recorded the video themselves so that the result would be more authentic. It was edited by Bridgers's brother Jackson.{{cite magazine |last1=Wilkes |first1=Emma |title=Boygenius debut new song 'Not Strong Enough' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/boygenius-debut-new-song-not-strong-enough-3406594 |magazine=NME |access-date=December 20, 2023 |date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305231343/https://www.nme.com/news/music/boygenius-debut-new-song-not-strong-enough-3406594 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |url-status=live }} Lola J. DeAscentiis of The Harvard Crimson, Robin Murray of Clash, and Will Schube of uDiscover Music opined that the presentation of the video resembled that of a home movie.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/boygenius-struggle-with-a-god-complex-on-not-strong-enough/|title=Boygenius struggle with a God complex on 'Not Strong Enough'|last=Murray|first=Robin|magazine=Clash|date=March 2, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323022626/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/boygenius-struggle-with-a-god-complex-on-not-strong-enough/|archive-date=March 23, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/boygenius-not-strong-enough/|title=Boygenius returns with new single 'Not Strong Enough'|last=Schube|first=Will|website=uDiscover Music|publisher=Universal Music Group|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=January 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108161631/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/boygenius-not-strong-enough/|url-status=live}} DeAscentiis felt that the carefree aura of the video contradicted the dark themes of the lyrics, adding more depth to the song. Cron wrote: "It's as fun as it is endearing, and it underlines why Boygenius' members work so well together. From the joy on their faces, it's clear that the music – vital as it is – is not the most important part of Boygenius." Derrick Rossignol of Uproxx commented that the video made apparent the strength of the band's bond, further stating that it "echo[ed] the album's mission statement, which was described in previous press materials as being 'about recapturing joy.'" Newsweek{{'s}} David Chiu remarked that the unassuming nature of the video contrasted Boygenius against past supergroups, whom he noted to have been afflicted with "commercial pressures and ego".

File:Boygenius (53087150373) (cropped).jpg in July 2023|alt=A brightly lit rectangular concert stage at sunset with puffs of smoke, television screens on the backdrop, and an audience watching]]

Boygenius first performed "Not Strong Enough" at Carnegie Hall as part of a benefit concert for Tibet House US on March 1, 2023, coinciding with the release of the single. The band's inclusion was arranged shortly before the concert; the only other song in their setlist was fellow The Record track "Cool About It", which was also performed live for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/boygenius-not-strong-enough-carnegie-hall-tibet-house-video|title=Watch Boygenius perform new song 'Not Strong Enough' at Carnegie Hall|last=Bernstein|first=Scott|website=JamBase|date=March 2, 2023|access-date=January 12, 2024|archive-date=May 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524181045/https://www.jambase.com/article/boygenius-not-strong-enough-carnegie-hall-tibet-house-video|url-status=live}} It became a regular part of their setlist during the Tour in support of The Record, usually near or at the end of the main set. In a four-star review of an August 20 performance at Gunnersbury Park, Kitty Empire of The Guardian described the song as a "theme tune" for the band.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/26/boygenius-review-gunnersbury-park-london-phoebe-bridgers-lucy-dacus-julien-baker|title=Boygenius review – emotional sucker-punches and superb harmonies|last=Empire|first=Kitty|work=The Guardian|date=August 26, 2023|access-date=December 23, 2023|archive-date=December 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220221503/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/26/boygenius-review-gunnersbury-park-london-phoebe-bridgers-lucy-dacus-julien-baker|url-status=live}} Billboard{{'s}} Stephen Daw praised an October 2 rendition at Madison Square Garden—the trio's first concert at that venue—as "top-notch".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/concerts/boygenius-madison-square-garden-concert-recap-1235430951/|title=Boygenius bring catharsis & communion to the masses at magnificent Madison Square Garden debut|last=Daw|first=Stephen|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=October 3, 2023|access-date=January 25, 2024|archive-date=January 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125182644/https://www.billboard.com/music/concerts/boygenius-madison-square-garden-concert-recap-1235430951/|url-status=live}} Reviewing a June 13 concert at Harrah's Cherokee Center, Brian Postelle of Asheville Stages described a visceral crowd reaction to the song, writing that "If [the audience] had all been suddenly lifted into the air and spirited away, it would not have seemed so out of place."{{cite web|url=https://ashevillestages.com/music/review-boygenius-at-harrahs-cherokee-center-asheville|title=Review: Boygenius at Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville|last=Postelle|first=Brian|website=Asheville Stages|date=June 22, 2023|access-date=January 13, 2024|archive-date=January 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113013022/https://ashevillestages.com/music/review-boygenius-at-harrahs-cherokee-center-asheville|url-status=live}}

Concurrently with the first several weeks of the Tour, Bridgers opened for Taylor Swift at 10 dates on the Eras Tour;{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-phoebe-bridgers-eras-tour-new-jersey-1235342282/|title=Taylor Swift tells Phoebe Bridgers she'll miss their 'dressing room heart to hearts' after New Jersey dates|last=Iasimone|first=Ashley|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=May 29, 2023|access-date=January 12, 2024|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207211540/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-phoebe-bridgers-eras-tour-new-jersey-1235342282/|url-status=live}} at the first of these, a May 5 show in Nashville, Baker and Dacus joined Bridgers onstage to perform "Not Strong Enough".{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/indie/phoebe-bridgers-boygenius-eras-tour/|title=Phoebe Bridgers brought out the rest of Boygenius during her first time opening for Taylor Swift's tour|last=Lane|first=Lexi|website=Uproxx|publisher=Warner Music Group|date=May 5, 2023|access-date=January 12, 2024|archive-date=May 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517204128/https://uproxx.com/indie/phoebe-bridgers-boygenius-eras-tour/|url-status=live}} When the Tour concluded with a concert on Halloween at the Hollywood Bowl, the band dressed as the Trinity—Dacus as the Father, Bridgers as the Spirit, and Baker as the Holy Son—to perform the song in a move which Variety compared to the "always an angel, never a God" lyric.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/concert-reviews/boygenius-hollywood-bowl-halloween-dave-grohl-concert-review-1235776838/|title=For Boygenius' Halloween show at Hollywood Bowl, the cloak of rock greatness is no costume: concert review|last=Willman|first=Chris|magazine=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=November 1, 2023|access-date=January 15, 2024|archive-date=January 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115171724/https://variety.com/2023/music/concert-reviews/boygenius-hollywood-bowl-halloween-dave-grohl-concert-review-1235776838/|url-status=live}} The band also played the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (April 21){{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-boygenius-perform-not-strong-enough-on-jimmy-kimmel-3434003|title=Watch Boygenius perform 'Not Strong Enough' on Jimmy Kimmel|last=Shutler|first=Ali|website=NME|date=April 22, 2023|access-date=December 23, 2023|archive-date=May 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517204132/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-boygenius-perform-not-strong-enough-on-jimmy-kimmel-3434003|url-status=live}} and Saturday Night Live (November 11).{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-boygenius-perform-not-strong-enough-and-satanist-on-snl/|title=Watch Boygenius perform "Not Strong Enough" and "Satanist" on Saturday Night Live|last=Lindert|first=Hattie|website=Pitchfork|publisher=Condé Nast|date=November 12, 2023|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=December 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208193310/https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-boygenius-perform-not-strong-enough-and-satanist-on-snl/|url-status=live}} For the latter performance, the band donned black suits in an homage to the Beatles' February 9, 1964, appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show; Boygenius's kick drum design mimicked the one the Beatles used that night, using the same font as the latter band's logo.{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2023/11/boygenius-saturday-night-live-video/|title=Boygenius on SNL: trio performs "Not Strong Enough" and "Satanist," spoofs Troye Sivan|last=Harrison|first=Scoop|magazine=Consequence|date=November 12, 2023|access-date=January 14, 2024|archive-date=January 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114221548/https://consequence.net/2023/11/boygenius-saturday-night-live-video/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-boygenius-channel-the-beatles-during-saturday-night-live-performance-3537026|title=Watch Boygenius channel the Beatles during Saturday Night Live performance|last=Aubrey|first=Elizabeth|magazine=NME|date=November 12, 2023|access-date=January 14, 2024|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213081933/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-boygenius-channel-the-beatles-during-saturday-night-live-performance-3537026|url-status=live}} In the same episode, the band appeared in a skit alongside Timothée Chalamet as four likenesses of Troye Sivan—all of them approximating Sivan's own fashion style and choreography—which were sleep paralysis demons hallucinated by a character played by Sarah Sherman.{{cite magazine|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/boygenius-and-timothee-chalamet-play-troye-sivan-in-snl-sketch-watch/|title=Boygenius and Timothée Chalamet play Troye Sivan in Saturday Night Live sketch: watch|last=Lindert|first=Hattie|magazine=Pitchfork|publisher=Condé Nast|date=November 12, 2023|access-date=January 14, 2024|archive-date=January 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123031819/https://pitchfork.com/news/boygenius-and-timothee-chalamet-play-troye-sivan-in-snl-sketch-watch/|url-status=live}}

"Not Strong Enough" was nominated in three categories at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards (2024): Record of the Year, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance. It lost the first award to "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus,{{cite web |last1=Enos |first1=Morgan |title=2024 Grammy nominations: see the full nominees list |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list |website=Grammy Awards |publisher=The Recording Academy |access-date=February 5, 2024 |date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=March 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316230627/https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list |url-status=live }} but won the latter two awards; they were, together with The Record{{'s}} win for Best Alternative Music Album, the first Grammys for all band members.{{efn|Bridgers additionally won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance as a featured artist on "Ghost in the Machine" by SZA.{{cite magazine|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/boygenius-win-best-rock-song-for-not-strong-enough-at-2024-grammys/|title=Boygenius win Best Rock Song for "Not Strong Enough" at 2024 Grammys|last=Lindert|first=Hattie|magazine=Pitchfork|publisher=Condé Nast|date=February 4, 2024|access-date=March 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222013011/https://pitchfork.com/news/boygenius-win-best-rock-song-for-not-strong-enough-at-2024-grammys/|archive-date=February 22, 2024|url-status=live}}}} Several media outlets remarked that Boygenius was amongst a large number of LGBT artists who had received nominations and awards, including Cyrus, Sivan, Brandy Clark, Billie Eilish, Victoria Monét, and Romy.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/boygenius-react-2024-grammy-nominations-1235468447/|title=Boygenius is ready to 'fight Dave Grohl in the parking lot' after 2024 Grammy nominations|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|last=Daw|first=Stephen|date=November 10, 2023|access-date=March 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205072204/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/boygenius-react-2024-grammy-nominations-1235468447/|archive-date=February 5, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/11/14/boygenius-speak-out-on-lgbtq-representation-at-2024-grammys|title=Boygenius speak out on LGBTQ+ representation at 2024 Grammys|work=Euronews|location=Brussels, Belgium|last=Mouriquand|first=David|date=November 14, 2023|access-date=March 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117081916/https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/11/14/boygenius-speak-out-on-lgbtq-representation-at-2024-grammys|archive-date=January 17, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.out.com/gay-music/grammy-awards-2024-lgbtq-winners|title=Queer women won big at the 2024 Grammy Awards & we love to see it|magazine=Out|publisher=Pride Publishing|last=Rude|first=Mey|date=February 4, 2024|access-date=March 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213064903/https://www.out.com/gay-music/grammy-awards-2024-lgbtq-winners|archive-date=February 13, 2024|url-status=live}} In an interview with Billboard, Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus stated that they were pleased by the amount of LGBT representation at the 2024 Grammys, which they described as indicative that the LGBT community was being taken more seriously as an artistic force than it had been previously. In the same interview, and later upon accepting the awards, the band detailed feelings of excitement and disbelief. Dacus expressed that she "need[ed] a whole new bucket list" and that "[she, Baker, and Bridgers] were all delusional enough as kids to think that this might happen to [them] someday"; Bridgers pontificated about "what weird shit [she could] do next" and Baker emphasized the importance of music in her life.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.them.us/story/grammys-2024-boygenius-wins|title=Boygenius won three Grammys and gave the cutest speeches ever|last=Rodriguez|first=Mathew|magazine=Them|publisher=Condé Nast|date=February 4, 2024|access-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224034644/https://www.them.us/story/grammys-2024-boygenius-wins|archive-date=February 24, 2024|url-status=live}}

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Record.

• Boygenius – performance, songwriting, production
• Carla Azar – assistant performance
• Tony Berg – production
• Jacob Blizard – assistant performance
• Anna Butterss – assistant performance
• Melina Duterte – assistant performance, production
• Barbara Gruska – assistant performance
• Ethan Gruska – assistant performance, production
• Owen Lantz – engineering
• Will Maclellan – engineering
• Catherine Marks – assistant performance, production, recording
• Mike Mogis – mixing
• Rob Moose – assistant performance
• Bobby Mota – engineering
• Kaushlesh "Garry" Purohit – engineering
• Sebastian Steinberg – assistant performance
• Pat Sullivan – mastering
• Sarah Tudzin – assistant performance, production, engineering
• Marshall Vore – assistant performance

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Not Strong Enough"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Boygenius|title=Not Strong Enough|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|id=19572-6597-2|access-date=January 24, 2025}}

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|title = Awards for "Not Strong Enough"

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{{Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Rock Song}}

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Category:2023 singles

Category:2023 songs

Category:American folk rock songs

Category:Boygenius songs

Category:Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance

Category:Grammy Award for Best Rock Song

Category:Interscope Records singles

Category:LGBTQ-related songs

Category:Songs about anxiety

Category:Songs about depression

Category:Songs with feminist themes

Category:Songs written by Phoebe Bridgers